18TH FEBRUARY, 2024

A.) Panel Disappointment and Urgency for Action

(GS PAPER 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION)

WHY IN NEWS - The group expressed disappointment over the ineffective

measures to combat plastic pollution and urged the environment ministry to bridge
data and implementation gaps.
PAC Concerns:

● Pollution Impact: Insufficient disposal and utilization of plastic waste lead to

pollution of air, water, and soil, harming human health.

● Surge in Plastic Waste: India saw a significant increase in plastic waste generation
from about 16 lakh to 41 lakh tonnes per year between 2015-2021.

● Governance Issues: Non-compliance with Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016,

especially regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), was highlighted.

● Lax Approach: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control
Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) were criticized for allowing
plastic units to operate without valid registrations.

● Lack of Assessment Mechanism: There is no mechanism in place to assess plastic

waste generation accurately.
Call for a Legally Binding Treaty:
● Global Coordination: Highlight the need for international collaboration to tackle
plastic pollution collectively.
Efforts Toward a Treaty:

● Plastic Pollution Coalition: Aims to combat plastic pollution globally.

● UN Clean Seas Campaign: Seeks to reduce marine plastic pollution.

● Proposal for Global Treaty: Many nations agree to develop a legally binding
agreement by 2024.

● MacArthur Foundation’s Initiative: Aims to create a circular economy for plastics.

Initiatives to Tackle Plastic Pollution:

● Global Initiatives: Global Partnership on Marine Litter, GloLitter Partnerships

Project, London Convention.

● India-Specific Initiatives: Elimination of single-use plastic, Plastic Waste

Management Rules 2016, Un-Plastic Collective, Beat Plastic Pollution Initiative in
Kerala.

B.) India's Stand on Data Exclusivity

(PRELIMS – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)

WHY IN NEWS - India has consistently opposed the inclusion of 'data

exclusivity' in ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions with the
European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Understanding Data Exclusivity:
 Definition: Data exclusivity is a provision imposing a minimum embargo period
on the use of clinical trial data for drug testing and development, typically six
years.
● Implications: iiOther manufacturers seeking to produce generic versions of
the drug must either wait out this exclusivity period or generate their own data,
which can be costly and time-consuming.
India's Rejection:
History: India has rebuffed this clause since 2008, despite pressure from the EU
and EFTA.
Objective: India aims to safeguard its generic drug industry and ensure the
continued availability of affordable medicines.
Understanding Generic Drugs:
Definition: Generic drugs are pharmaceutical products identical or bioequivalent
to brand-name drugs in terms of dosage form, strength, route of administration,
quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
Cost-effectiveness: Typically sold under their chemical name, generic drugs are
often more affordable than brand-name drugs.

C.) Innovative Carbon Nanotube Synthesis

(PRELIMS- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
WHY IN NEWS - Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science
and Technology (IASST) have devised a groundbreaking method for producing
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) directly on glass substrates at a lower temperature of
750°C.
Key Method:
Technique: The Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique
(PECVD) is utilized, eliminating the necessity for high temperatures and
traditional metal catalysts.
Catalyst: Sodium (Na) serves as the primary catalyst for CNT growth, enhancing
biocompatibility for potential biomedical applications compared to conventional
catalysts.
Advantages of the Method:
Lower Temperature: The process operates at a significantly reduced
temperature, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing production costs.
Biocompatibility: The use of sodium as a catalyst increases suitability for
biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility.
Cleaner CNTs: Removal of sodium from the synthesized CNTs improves
cleanliness, enhancing suitability for various applications in energy research,
biomedicine, and optoelectronics.
Understanding Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs):
Definition: CNTs are cylindrical carbon structures with nanometer-scale
diameters and micrometer-scale lengths, characterized by a high length-to-
diameter ratio exceeding 1000.
Structure: CNTs consist of rolled-up graphitic sheets, known as graphene,
forming seamless cylinders with nanometer-sized diameters.
D.) New WHO Guidelines for Diphtheria Management
(PRELIMS – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)

WHY IN NEWS - The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued updated
guidelines for the clinical management of diphtheria, addressing the urgent need
 for evidence-based practices in response to outbreaks in Nigeria, Guinea, and
neighboring countries in 2023.
Key Recommendations:

● Use of Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) and Antibiotics: The guidelines

include recommendations on the use of DAT and antibiotics for effective

management.

● Current Treatment Approach: Current treatments involve neutralizing

toxins with DAT, administering antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth,

and providing supportive care to prevent and treat complications.
Understanding Diphtheria:

● Serious Bacterial Infection: Diphtheria is a severe contagious bacterial

infection that can lead to significant respiratory issues and systemic

complications, particularly in children.
New Guidelines:

● Choice of Antibiotics: WHO suggests using macrolide antibiotics

(azithromycin, erythromycin) over penicillin antibiotics.

● Sensitivity Testing: Routine sensitivity testing before administering DAT

is not recommended.

● Escalating Dosing Regimen: WHO advises considering an escalating

dosing regimen for DAT based on disease severity and time since
symptom onset.
E.) Discovery of Europe's Oldest Megastructure
(MAPPING)
WHY IN NEWS - Scientists stumbled upon a Stone Age wall beneath the Baltic
Sea in Germany, believed to be the continent's oldest megastructure.
Key Details:

● Length and Composition: The wall extends almost a kilometer along the

seafloor and consists of 1,673 individual stones.

● Unlikely Natural Formation: Its size and shape suggest it's unlikely to be a

natural formation, prompting researchers to propose it was constructed

over 10,000 years ago.

● Purpose: It is speculated that the wall served as a hunting lane for reindeer

herds, built by hunter-gatherers during the Stone Age.

Understanding the Stone Age:

● Definition: The Stone Age refers to a prehistoric period marked by the use

of stone tools and weapons by early human societies.

● Periods: It is divided into three main periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic,

and Neolithic, during which humans were predominantly hunter-gatherers,

relying on natural resources for survival.
About the Baltic Sea:
● Geographic Location: The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean

enclosed by several European countries, including Denmark, Estonia,

Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Sweden.

● Landscape: It borders the North and Central European Plain and is known

for its diverse coastal landscapes and ecosystems.